Abstract:

In 1993 The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality developed a Cross-media Comparative Risk Assessment model to address certain regulatory concerns. Due to budget constraints the model was never beta tested. Now in 1995, the X-media project has been reopened, and the model revised, and tested. Specific revisions include: 1) Upgrade from a Level II to a Level III Fugacity Model, 2) Incorporation of compound specific Mass Transfer Coefficients and Molecular diffusities into the Level III Fugacity model 3) redefining the exposure factor from total compound amount to media specific concentrations 4) refinement of procedures for using the model and 5) conversion of the model from Oracle 7 to an Excel spreadsheet format. The model generates a Human and Ecological Risk index for a facility releasing toxins into the environment. The Risk Indices are based on chemical fate and transport predictions, toxicity, population density and ecological Sensitive areas. The model can be used to rank facilities for inspection or as a tool to assess the progress of pollution prevention programs. Regulatory permitting departments can use the model to address the cross-media transfer of pollutants from one environmental compartment to another. The versatility of the model allows adaptation to each specific users needs.

Description:

Graduation date: 1996

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